Jammu, Mar 24 (UNI) Security Forces early morning on Monday intensified the search operation in the forest area of village Sanyal in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district as no fresh contact was established with a group of terrorists.
A gun battle broke out between a group of terrorists, believed to be 4 to 5 and security forces in Village Sanyal of Hiranagar sector on Sunday evening in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
"A search operation was launched on Sunday evening when a couple, who was caught by the terrorists but managed to escape, informed the police," said an official.
He said that terrorists fired at the search party last evening, which was effectively retaliated and the encounter triggered."
"The exchange of fire stopped last night but the area was cordoned," he said, adding that with the first light on Monday, a joint team of army, police, BSF and special operation group had launched the search operation.
"No contact has been established since morning," he added.
Notably, a seven-year-old received splinters during firing on Sunday evening.
Anita Devi, who managed to escape from the clutches of the terrorists told reporters that along with her husband, they both went to the nearby field to collect firewood.
"They held us hostage but I managed to escape," she said.
She revealed that the terrorists, five in number, with long beards, carrying "pithu bags" wearing black dresses, were speaking a local language and were hiding in the Dholka area of village Sanyal.
"They released my husband and asked him to get your wife along, who had escaped but by the time we reached the village, many people had gathered," she said, adding that the security forces were informed and they rushed to the site.
"Bullets were fired from both sides," she said.
Army however, in a statement said that based on Intelligence Input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by Police & troops of #RisingStar Corps in general area Saniyal, Hiranagar. Operations in Progress.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat is also supervising the operation with additional deployment of commandos, drones and sniffer dogs.



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